At a Glance

Welcome to the beautiful Lake Erie Islands, where more than 450 bird species pass through during the spring migration. Witness this return to warmer climes and gain authoritative knowledge of the many species you observe — including Black-throated Green Warblers, Scarlet Tanagers and Indigo Buntings. Take part in walks, lectures, bird-banding and more, all led by local bird experts.

Activity Level

Outdoor: No Sweat

Slow walking over uneven terrain; standing for short increments.

Best of all, you'll ...

Enjoy a special field trip via ferry to Point Pelee National Park in Ontario, Canada, a prime vantage point for observing the spring migration, and go birding in Magee Marsh Wildlife Area.

Visit Ohio State University’s Stone Lab, the oldest freshwater biological field station in the U.S., to learn how 65 researchers from 12 agencies work year-round to solve the pressing issues facing the Great Lakes.

Visit Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial, honoring those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812 and celebrating the lasting peace among Britain, Canada and the U.S.

General Notes

U.S. passport is required to enter Canada. Participants will stay in one of three charming Put-in-Bay Bed & Breakfasts - all with a private bath. Participants will not be assigned rooms until six to four weeks prior to the start date. All Road Scholar birding programs have a maximum participant-to-instructor ratio of 14:1 in the field. We adhere to the American Birding Association’s Code of Ethics. Learn more at http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html

Featured Expert

All Experts

Tammy Martin

Tammy Martin works as a library cataloger at nearby Oberlin College. She earned a Masters in Environmental Interpretation from The Ohio State University. During college, Tammy worked as a naturalist for the National Park Service. She returned to academia in the library field, when she and her husband, Dan, raised their kids. After their graduation, Tammy found time to revive her interest in birding and hasn’t looked back. An active member of the Lorain County Chapter for National Audubon, Tammy frequently leads monthly field trips.

Andy Jones

Dianne Smith

John Lortz

Tammy Martin

Tom Bartlett

Lisa Kutschbach Brohl

Paula Bartlett

Valerie Nose Chornyak

Suggested Reading List

View 2 books

Binocular Info.

by Tom Bartlett

www.opticsplanet.net/how-to-buy-bincoluars.html
This will give you background on binocular terminology. First, what magnification do you want? My recommendation is a binocular with 7x or 8x magnification. Anything less you will have trouble seeing details. Anything more and you will have trouble focusing, finding the bird, and images will be dark because it draws less light into the binocular. Second, you need to factor in eye relief. The best is 18-20mm and you usually only get that with 7x or 8x binocular. If you wear glasses, 18-20mm is a must. Third, is the size of the objective lens. My recommendation is one that is 35-42mm. Anything smaller and you have too big a field of view and anything larger gives you too small a field of view. In either case, it makes finding the bird with the binocular tougher. Also, binoculars with larger objective lenses tend to be heavier and more uncomfortable to handle. To me, the ideal binocular is one that is 7x40 or 8x40. Now the cost. The price of a binocular is very important. It determines what you are paying for. The most important part of the binocular is the lenses. The better the lenses, the better the binocular, and the better your experience will be. Quality lenses are those that are grounded completely clear. Cheaper lenses are only grounded in the middle area of the lens and the outer edges aren't as clear. The problems comes because your eyes attempt to adjust to both the middle and the edge. The image is fuzzy and after a day of birding, you have a headache because your eyes are constantly trying to focus both areas. It is my experience you can't buy a quality binocular for under $200 and there are very few in that range. You begin to find a quality binocular for $300 and up. You should be looking at brand names like Bushnell, Nikon, Canon, Vortex, Leica, Pentex, Swarovski (one of the Cadillac of binoculars) and several others. Bushnell, Nikon, and Vortex tend to offer a quality binocular for $300.

Afternoon: 1 PM boat transportation from Put-in-Bay to Gibraltar Island, home of the Ohio State University's Stone Laboratory, the oldest freshwater lab in the US. Also historic home of Jay Cooke, financier of the Civil War. Field trip tour of island and buildings, bird walk and lecture with OSU staff. Boat transport back to Put-in-Bay.

A circa mid 1800’s original settlers’ home, English Pines Bed and Breakfast is a lovely twelve-room bed and breakfast nestled on two quiet acres in the downtown district. English Pines Bed and Breakfast is just steps away from the new Put-in-Bay Conference Center and a short walk to the Winery, caves, restaurants and shops

This program was my very first one with Road Scholar and I will continue to go on other programs. The leadership and organization of this trip was outstanding and I couldn't have been more pleased with my experience.

If you are passionate about birding, this one's for you! The leaders were exceptional, the B & B comfortable, the food delicious, and the birding terrific. The island location made the travel to birding sites quick and easy. There was adequate rest and refreshment breaks. The abundance of warblers at Magee Marsh, OH and Pt. Pelee, Canada (our off-island sites) has to be seen to be believed - many at eye level! It was very cold for this Southern girl during our week - low 40's to 50's with a wind. I'm taking waterproof shoes and wool socks next time!

I recommend this program to everyone interested in birding, and I would definitely consider taking the program again next year. The instructors were extremely knowledgeable and inspiring and presented all information in an interesting manner and with considerable humor. The bird walks were excellent and the instructors/leaders made certain that we saw every type of bird, particularly the elusive warblers, which is no easy task. We saw lots of birds up close, particularly at Point Pelee and during the bird banding. The entire program was well planned and well-coordinated and even the food was excellent.

What a great way to see the colorful spring warblers up close and personal. it is very helpful to have a guide at the crowded bird sites talking to you on the "whisper system" as you stroll the boardwalks. Guides made sure everyone got to see each bird. I expected to hear Tom on my earphones when I got on the plane the day we left!

The Ohio Lake Erie Put-in-Bay program on birds is one of the most cost effective quality programs you are going to find with great people leading and exposing you to the Erie islands. Highly recommend !!
marty borko mborko@stny.rr.com